Please note that any sightings mentioned in news items do not automatically go into our records database. Sightings should be submitted using one of the mechanisms listed on the Recording page.
Nice Moths at Sinah, Hayling Island. On 5th August a hummingbird hawkmoth was busy feeding from Alstroemeria by the Sinah Warren hotel reception and about 100m along Ferry Lane a Jersey tiger moth was active and showing well. [Posted by John Goodspeed]
Browndown (North) Gosport. Mostly rain-threatening grey clouds attended my walk (1045-1300, 20 deg C) although it remained dry with the sun emerging as I returned to the car! Just nine species risked the gloom with Gatekeeper and Grayling bucking the low trend of numbers. Swan family of six amid countless ducks at Apple Dumpling Bridge and a young fox, far too tame, was watching closely as the waterfowl were being (well) fed. Total: Small White (5); Large White (2); Speckled Wood (1); Meadow Brown (F)(5)(M)(1); Gatekeeper (25); Small Heath (1); Grayling (16); Common Blue (M)(1); Small Copper (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Grayling - the art of camouflage! Photo © Francis Plowman | Female Meadow Brown Photo © Francis Plowman | Grayling on bell heather Photo © Francis Plowman |
Clouded Yellow at Axmansford. Clouded Yellow seen on field margin at Axmansford on Friday. [Posted by Andy Bolton]
North Baddesley Sighting of Clouded Yellow. Seen today on my reserve at North Baddesley a Clouded Yellow, it did not stop for photo. Very good to see it as I never saw one last year. [Posted by kevin ross]
Newlands Solar Farm, Newgate Lane, Fareham. From 1115 for an hour (19-22 deg C) our first visit and walk around the perimeter of a solar farm easily accessed via Tanners Lane, off the old Newgate Lane proved interesting. We need to return here at the height of a Summer as there are wide fields of flower-bedecked scrub and mature oak-bordered edges. There is a second solar farm close by also with perimeter path which we did not walk today. Nothing out of the ordinary seen but potential for an earlier visit or two next year. Total: Gatekeeper (42); Red Admiral (2); Meadow Brown (67); Common Blue (F)(2)(M)(3); Large White (4); Small Heath (2); Small White (6); Speckled Wood (4). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill. A wander through the fields surrounding Fort Widley for 45 minutes from 13:15 (25 deg C, sunny periods, SW breeze) realised just ten species. Total: Common Blue (M)(2)(F)(2); Meadow Brown (19); Gatekeeper (5); Red Admiral (3); Small White (12); Large White (4); Holly Blue (M)(2)(F)(1); Speckled Wood (3); Green-veined White (2); Brown Argus (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Meadow Brown male Photo © Francis Plowman | Female Holly Blue Photo © Francis Plowman | Red Admiral male Photo © Francis Plowman |
Portsdown Hill (east). From 1400-1515 we traversed the top paths generally east and back from opposite Fort Widley. The temperature around 26 deg C with a SW breeze. Twelve species recorded on this our final record for July. Total: Meadow Brown (37); Red Admiral (3); Small White (14); Speckled Wood (M)(1)(F)(1); Gatekeeper (4); Brown Argus (3); Chalk Hill Blue (M)(30)(F)(10); Large White (4); Common Blue (F)(1); Holly Blue (2); Brimstone (F)(1); Painted Lady (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Common Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman | 3 x Chalk Hill Blue males dive on one female! Photo © Francis Plowman | Female Brimstone Photo © Francis Plowman |
Black Arches at Freshwater. This Black Arches moth seen today on my white painted garage door. Looks like a female [Posted by Peter Hunt]
 |
| Photo © Peter Hunt |
Meon Shore, Cliffs, Solent Breezes & Chilling Coastal Area. A long but level walk of some 7kms (1100-1430) took in that varied habitat from shore line, fields and woodland edges returning to the Meon shore car park (20-22 deg C). Fourteen species recorded including Painted Lady but no early Clouded Yellow. The field parallel to the cliff path west of the Brownwich stream is once again planted with winter brassicae and flowers over which the whites reign supreme! Total: Gatekeeper (73); Meadow Brown (20); Small White (97); Large White (40); Speckled Wood (8); Small Heath (4); Common Blue (M)(11)(F)(2); Red Admiral (6); Small Copper (1); Small/Essex Skipper (1); Small Skipper (2); Peacock (2); Painted Lady (1); Comma (5); Holly Blue (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Comma Photo © Francis Plowman | Peacock Photo © Francis Plowman | Painted Lady Photo © Francis Plowman |
Silver spotted Skippers on Stockbridge Down. A 2 hour stroll around Stockbridge Down this morning resulted in sightings of at least 5 Silver-spotted Skippers, all bar one being unwilling to stop for photos, on returning to the main car park a Hummingbird Hawkmoth provided a nice bonus. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
 |  |  |
| Silver-spotted Skipper, top view Photo © Kevin Haggar | Silver-spotted Skipper, side view Photo © Kevin Haggar | Hummingbird Hawkmoth Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. A combined blackberry picking and butterfly wander realised 7lbs of the former and twelve species of the latter! From 1345-1550 with a humid 25 deg C there has clearly been a large emergence of Speckled Wood since my last record here (21 July, 13 species) for some very fresh insects were seen among the 19 counted. Most unusually, the females outnumbered the males and were resplendent in their clearly brighter and broader spots. (Also, by way of comparison, the female's abdomen is noticeably larger than that of the male). My first Small Heath of the year at this site was recorded in the flower strewn 'navy field' literally covered in fleabane, ragwort, St Johns wort, thistles and many grasses. This brings my sighting record at this site to 26 this year. I have yet to record Small Tortoiseshell here which is a disappointment. Total: Red Admiral (6); Comma (5); Speckled Wood (F)(10)(M)(9); Gatekeeper (15); Holly Blue (3); Large White (7); Common Blue (M)(8)(F)(1); Meadow Brown (7); Small Copper (1); Small Heath (1); Small White (7); Brown Argus (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Male (lower) and female Speckled Wood Photo © Francis Plowman | Female Speckled Wood Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman |
Browndown (South) Gosport. With the gate open and notice showing accessibility for the rest of this week and into next, I walked the full extent of the open land from 1020-1300. Started out under full sun (21 deg C) but after 1100 the clouds came over. Apart from disturbing a Painted Lady from the bell heather no real surprises. The last butterfly encountered was a very fresh female Red Admiral which tolerated - seemingly welcomed - photography for when I eventually left her she immediately took off and circulated around me three times! Close encounter of a very beautiful creature for sure. The Grayling were mostly found around the heath to the west of the rifle range but the habitat is drying out fast. The further west I walked the more parched the ground and consequently the fewer sightings. Total: Small White (21); Large White (6); Gatekeeper (38); Small Heath (2); Meadow Brown (9); Common Blue (M)(5)(F)(1); Holly Blue (2); Small Copper (3); Grayling (10); Painted Lady (1); Small Skipper (1); Brown Argus (1); Red Admiral (F)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Common Blue male on horseshoe vetch Photo © Francis Plowman | Friendly Red Admiral female Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Skipper on bugle Photo © Francis Plowman |
Jersey Tiger moth in Eastleigh. Jersey Tiger moth seen in Eastleigh [Posted by Catherine plumb]
Knepp record count of Purple Emperors. Not strictly Branch news, but most encouraging to read that the Purple Emperor has had a record year on the sallows of Knepp in Sussex, where 283 were counted on 1 July, an all-time high. Other species have done equally well. https://www.birdguides.com/news/knepp-breaks-purple-emperor-record-in-super-butterfly-summer.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth seen on lavender at Great Fontley. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Browndown (North) Gosport. 1320-1530 (21 deg cloudy, sunny periods and rain!) thirteen species recorded (19 on 8th July). Numbers of Grayling have risen but they were mostly located on the main heath by the triangular pathway. Only one Small/Essex Skipper seen but it still had enough puff to thwart my attempts at a photograph! Total: Large White (F)(1); Meadow Brown (25); Red Admiral (5); Speckled Wood (M)(4)(F)(2); Gatekeeper (28); Small White (4); Brown Argus (2); Comma (1); Common Blue (M)(4); Small Copper (1); Grayling (16); Small/Essex Skipper (1); Green-veined White (F)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Grayling Photo © Francis Plowman | Speckled Wood female Photo © Francis Plowman | Gatekeeper female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. 1450-1700 (23 deg C, overcast and windy) thirteen species were recorded (18 on 10 July). Total: Holly Blue (1); Small White (11); Red Admiral (8); Comma (11); Large White (9); Gatekeeper (25); Common Blue (M)(6)(F)(3); Meadow Brown (5); Small Copper (2); Brown Argus (1); Ringlet (1); Speckled Wood (12); Green-veined White (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Var Fb female Common Blue Photo © Francis Plowman | Red Admiral Photo © Francis Plowman | Lying low, Ringlet Photo © Francis Plowman |
Jersey Tiger Moth spotted in Winchester. I spotted a Jersey Tiger Moth in Winchester today, resting on my car. [Posted by Deborah]
Seafield Park & Monks Hill Promenade Field, Hill Head. From 1110-1300 this seaside area was circulated (24 deg C full sunshine). The scrubby field adjacent to Monks Hill promenade (area of successful Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow sightings in previous years) had been cut to within an inch of its life and was devoid of interest. On the other hand, the inland enclosed park area was resplendent in colour, herbs and wild fruits and returned 13 butterfly species. Only two Small/Essex Skippers were seen alive while another lay in the grip of an Orb spider. Total: Meadow Brown (67); Gatekeeper (45); Large White (11); Small White (11); Red Admiral (2); Common Blue (F)(4)(M)(28); Small/Essex Skipper (2); Green-veined White (4); Speckled Wood (4); Holly Blue (1); Ringlet (1); Small Copper (1); Brown Argus (3). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Brown Argus Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman | Green-veined White female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Moth trap in my garden at Leigh Park. Caught 50 species of moth overnight. Some of the highlights included Jersey Tiger 5, Gold Spot, Elephant Hawk-moth 4, Peach Blossom, Sitochroa palealis, Rosy Footman 14, Lychnis 3, Ruby Tiger 10, Least Carpet, Hypsopygia glaucinalis, Bright-line Brown-eye 14 etc and a very tame juvenile Robin helping its self to a Brimstone moth out of the moth trap. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Walls and Hairstreaks at Shipton Bellinger. A late morning/early afternoon visit to Shipton Bellinger in search of Wall and Brown Hairstreak proved very successful, with at least 10 Wall and 2 Brown Hairstreak seen, the Hairstreaks proving very obliging and giving lengthy low level views. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
 |  |  |
| Brown Hairstreak (Male) Photo © Kevin Haggar | Wall Photo © Kevin Haggar | Brown Hairstreak (Female) Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Old Winchester Hill, Nr Warnford. The top paths to, around and back from the hill fort to the car park offered a walk returning 17 species of butterfly. (Not sufficiently recovered to attempt the descent and ascent from the valley floor - deep respect to my octogenarian friend and regular contributor Roy who undertook the comprehensive hike last month!). From 1045-1300 (with a 15 minutes' shelter from rain) with the temperature around 23 degrees Celsius under grey clouds we were able to see Red Kite, hear Kestrels and were overflown by a Hurricane WW2 fighter! Back to butterflies; apart from the Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper numbers were low. The Chalk Hill Blue males were never settled. The highlight was the Painted Lady which was in excellent condition. Two examples of female Common Blue variety Fb were found, one the deeper violet and the one shown with a very pale coloration although it was relatively fresh. Total: Green-veined White (2); Ringlet (2); Meadow Brown (66); Gatekeeper (90); Speckled Wood (1); Small White (11); Marbled White (1); Common Blue (F)(4)(M)(5); Small / Essex Skipper (3); Painted Lady (1); Large White (6); Brown Argus (1); Small Heath (1); Red Admiral (4); Peacock (2); Comma (1); Chalk Hill Blue (F)(1)(M)(5). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Common Blue female Var Fb but very pale all over blue Photo © Francis Plowman | Painted Lady Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monarch (Danaus plexippus) spotted near Lymington. This male Monarch butterfly landed on our garden buddleia this afternoon, much to my surprise. Given the summer influx from continental Europe of species including Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow along this coastline, and recent weather patterns, it's not out of the question it could be a genuine migrant. [Posted by Mike Bevan]
 |  |  |
| Monarch Photo © Mike Bevan | Monarch Photo © Mike Bevan | Photo © Mike Bevan |
Purple Emperor at West Wood. After spending many fruitless hours in Alice Holt forest looking for Purple Emperor eggs I decided to give West Wood a look - and I am glad I did. Shortly after exiting the car I came across a very surprising butterfly - a Wall. No photo unfortunately but I had a good clear view and apparently a very unusual occurrence for this site. They do have a habit of popping up in strange locations.
However after the initial excitement I started the laborious task of examining likely sallows for the 1mm diameter egg. After two hours of eye boggling examination I checked a nice broad leaved sallow in semi shade and came across what I thought was an egg. However whilst trying to locate my hand lens I lost it! In the process of trying to relocate it I found a L1 larva and then relocated the egg! After all that effort - like buses two came along at once. Shortly after I found another larva so all in all a very successful day. [Posted by Mark Tutton]
 |  |  |
| First Instar Photo © Mark Tutton | Ova Photo © Mark Tutton | Fuirst instar showing feeding damage Photo © Mark Tutton |
Vanessid census at Longstock buddleja garden. Buddlejas not at their best, but still enjoyed by 14 Peacock, 9 Red Admiral and 1 Painted Lady, along with 17 Large White and 5 Meadow Brown. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Gilkicker Point & adjacent Stokes Bay scrub, Gosport. From 1200-1345 we enjoyed a slow wander around Gilkicker Point and the eastern scrub and fields of Stokes Bay. The temperature rose from 24 to 26 deg C with a gentle SW breeze off The Solent sparkling gloriously in the sunshine. A total of 11 species were seen making a total of 14 species recorded today at two adjacent shoreline sites. Total: Gatekeeper (35); Small White (26); Meadow Brown (13); Small Copper (2); Large White (12); Common Blue (M)(11); Small/Essex Skipper (3); Red Admiral (2); Ringlet (2); Green-veined White (6); Brown Argus (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |
| Small Copper Photo © Francis Plowman | Green-veined White Photo © Francis Plowman |
Haslar Sea Wall Car Park Scrub - Gosport. A rather brown and parched scrubby field did not auger well on a brief circulation of 30 minutes from 1115 (24 deg C, sunny and warm). However, a dozen species were recorded although numbers were low and not surprisingly field butterflies are failing fast. Total: Holly Blue (1); Small White (5); Small Copper (3); Large White (1); Common Blue (M)(10(F)(1); Gatekeeper (9); Meadow Brown (6); Peacock (1); Ringlet (1); Small/Essex Skipper (1); Green-veined White (F)(1); Speckled Wood (M)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Common Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman | Peacock Photo © Francis Plowman | Speckled Wood male Photo © Francis Plowman |
Brown Hairstreak at Shipton Bellinger. Two Brown Hairstreak seen in the trees along the Hampshire/Wiltshire border with a couple of Wall Brown on the bare chalk nearby. Also a fresh Dingy Skipper in the grass meadow areas along with a couple of tired Dark-green Fritillary, several Common Blue and plenty of Gatekeeper and Brimstone. [Posted by Geoff Dymott]
Dingy Skippers on Stockbridge Down. An early afternoon visit to Stockbridge Down in search of Hairstreaks or Silver-spotted Skippers proved fruitless, but Chalk Hill Blue numbers are building nicely and I located 2 fresh Dingy Skippers in the area around the Hill Fort. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
 |
| Dingy Skipper (Second Brood) Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill. Just over an hour from 1155 the blustery wander around the outer perimeter of the fort under grey clouds (21 deg C) realised sighting of a dozen species. Whether it was a late first or an early second emergence I cannot be certain but delighted to record my first Small Blue of the year, a female. A brief appearance of a large butterfly that landed just over the fence-line was first thought to be Painted Lady but on processing the photograph it was a Dark Green Fritillary which I think is my first record on this site. Total: Small White (4); Common Blue (F)(2)(M)(6); Speckled Wood (3); Ringlet (1); Meadow Brown (14); Gatekeeper (44); Large White (5); Green-veined White (3); Marbled White (3); Small Skipper (1); Small Blue (F)(1); Dark Green Fritillary (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Common Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman | Meadow Brown female Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Jersey Tiger in Cosham. Jersey Tiger caught resting this morning on litter bin in darkest Cosham. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
 |
| Jersey Tiger Photo © Andrew Brookes |
More Painted Ladies at Freshwater.. An established and substantial Lavender bush in my front garden is a magnet for insects at this time.Among the many visitors to it today was this Painted Lady that spent some time on the flowers. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
 |  |
| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
Moth trap in my garden at Leigh Park. Caught 38 species of moth overnight. The highlights was a superb Light Crimson Underwing a new species for the garden, other goodies included a Elephant Hawk-moth, Dingy Footman 4, Plain Prominent, Pebble Prominent, Double Kidney, Rosy Footman, Dusky Sallow, Buff Ermine 4 etc. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. The walk of 3 hours 10 minutes ended at 12:45 with the temperature standing at 29.5C. Most of the area was covered and eighteen species were recorded, my highest 2025 count here. All the usual suspects were prominent with no real surprises but this might be the zenith of the Summer as numbers of field butterflies appear to be dropping-off now. Total: Small White (37); Large White (19); Speckled Wood (18); Red Admiral (8); Green-veined White (8)(1F); Ringlet (9); Common Blue (M)(19); Meadow Brown (23); Small / Essex Skipper (20); Small Skipper (3); Gatekeeper (68); Marbled White (2); Small Copper (2); Brown Argus (4); Comma (9); Brimstone (M)(4)(F)(1); Purple Hairstreak (2); Holly Blue (M)(2)(F)(1); Peacock (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Brown Argus Photo © Francis Plowman | Brimstone male Photo © Francis Plowman | Green-veined White female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Garden Butterflies in Chandlers Ford. 3 Peacocks, Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Large White, Small White, 2 Commas in garden today Chandlers Ford [Posted by Derek Lister]
Painted Lady at Freshwater.. As my buddleia bush is now in full flower a first Painted Lady seen today in my garden. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
 |
| Photo © Peter Hunt |
Browndown North, Gosport. Twelve days after my last unsuccessful search for Grayling, today they were found. From 1200-1445 a full circulation of the area woodland and heath going south from Apple Dumpling Bridge recorded nineteen species. No White Admiral seen although a fellow walker had recorded just one. Six Purple Hairstreak were seen with five being on one mature oak but all were flitting around lower branches fortunately. The temperature rose to around 23 degrees Celsius with a pleasant breeze to make for a pleasurable walk. Total: Gatekeeper (52); Large White (16); Small / Essex Skipper (9); Small White (26); Speckled Wood (10); Meadow Brown (11); Comma (9); Green-veined White (3); Ringlet (3); Essex Skipper (4); Small Skipper (1); Marbled White (F)(1); Brown Argus (1); Red Admiral (2); Common Blue (M)(2); Small Heath (1); Small Copper (1); Grayling (8); Purple Hairstreak (6); Peacock (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Red Admiral Photo © Francis Plowman | Grayling Photo © Francis Plowman | Purple Hairstreak face-off Photo © Francis Plowman |
Portsdown Hill surprise. Silver-studded Blue reported on the hill by Countryside Officer Richard Jones. Given that the butterfly rarely flies further than 20 metres from its point of emergence, it is difficult to imagine how a specimen could fly 10km from its nearest known habitat at Browndown, Gosport.
NB Portsdown once hosted the now-extinct ssp. cretaceus...
Also noted on the hill were Brown Hairstreak and White-letter Hairstreak. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
more from Rownhams. 2 Commas seen on buddleia and 7 Meadow Browns, three Speckled Woods, Green-veined White, Small White, Brimstone and two Commas seen on a walk round Cromarty Road area [Posted by Sue Lambert]
Butterflies in Rownhams. Lots of species on the buddlia near my house in Rownhams, sorry no photos as the camera is broken. Species seen Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White,, Red Admiral, Peacock and Painted Lady - the first this year. [Posted by Siue Lambert]
Test Valley, Longstock. Red Admirals aplenty along the Test Valley Way below The Bunny, enjoying what's left of the bramble blossom, along with numerous whites, mostly Green-veined Whites. Moving on to one of the beats, Red Admirals again, with several Peacocks, and a Comma ovipositing on the regenerating nettles; still plentiful whites, two Brimstones, and a few Meadow Browns, but the highlight had to be the otter swimming downstream. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Chalton Down, Old Idsworth. On 4th July following the first reported sightings of the Chalk Hill Blue in Hampshire the previous day, my father and I visited Chalton Down. Arriving in the late afternoon around 15.45 the temperature was 23 degrees. Many butterflies were seen feeding including a Dark Green Fritillary, while several fresh Common Blues were recorded. Shortly after walking among grasses a male Chalk Hill Blue was seen followed shortly after by another which chased a Small White. Personally this had been my earliest recorded sighting of this species since my records from 2006.
Totals: Large White 7, Small White 13, Chalk Hill Blue 2M, Common Blue 8M 3F, Gatekeeper 12, Marbled White 18, Meadow Brown 29, Ringlet 6, Comma 3, Dark Green Fritillary 3 and Small Skipper 11. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
How Lakes, King's Somborne. White-letter Hairstreak (2) seen on LUTECE elm, but the most striking feature was the number of Peacocks and whites, mostly Green-veined Whites, along the margins of the lakes where bounded by banks of Hemp Agrimony and Garlic Mustard. With the grasslands mown frequently to appease the trout anglers, there were very few browns abroad.
Back at the (Great Fontley) ranch, the resident vanessids were joined by two Painted Lady feasting alongside many Large White, Small White and Green-veined White on the front garden Buddleja, Verbena bonariensis and Bowles' Mauve wallflower. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Purple Emperor. I was lucky enough to see a Purple Emperor cruising regally over my back garden at 8.25 pm this evening, the first for a few years.Thought it was a bat at first until the penny dropped! [Posted by Andy Bolton]
Chalkhill Blues out on West High Down.. Aside the track leading to West High Down at Totland today were several Chalkhill Blues. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
 |  |  |
| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
Moth Trap in my garden at Leigh Park. On the 1st July I sent you some moth records I caught in my garden. Could you please add another species I caught that day to the list it was a Plumed Fan-foot. Thank you [Posted by Barry Collins]
Alice Holt Emperors. Over the past week I have made several visits to Alice Holt forest to observe Purple Emperors. It seems they are having a very good season with numerous encounters and nice low down views of males taking ‘salts’ and more dubious substances! One count of twenty three males and a single female in Straits Inclosure is my best count for over ten years, and Ashley and I watched almost continuous activity at Abbots Wood for a period of thirty minutes, including four in a vista and a ‘follow me’ chase of a female leading a male off to make more Emperors. Sadly I lost ‘Flossie the Emperor dog’ back in March but have acquired a new pup ‘Beau’ who is in training and he encountered a nice male on his very first excursion into the woods. I have also noted two Valezina Silver-washed Fritillarys which have proved difficult to photograph, but I did manage a snap of one low down in vegetation before she disappeared back into the shadows. It would seem the ‘butterfly emergency’ does not apply to all species? [Posted by Mark Tutton]
 |  |  |
| Valezina Photo © Mark Tutton | Salts! Photo © Mark Tutton | Beau with his first Emperorr Photo © Mark Tutton |
Martin Down NNR. Coincidental with the hottest day of the year in the south was a planned visit to Martin Down. It would later prove a demanding hike! From 1000-1220 the temperature rose from a respectable 24 deg C to an uncomfortable 30 deg C on our return to the car park from the bottom of the down. Fortunately we had plenty of ice-cold water and the distraction of a whole host of butterflies. In fact 21 species came to book my highest count of the year so far including first year sighting of Dark Green Fritillary and Chalk Hill Blue. Missing was Small Tortoiseshell and clearly too late for Small Blue and Marsh Fritillary. Listed in order of sighting: Total: Large White (24); Gatekeeper (5); Peacock (7); Small White (37); Green-veined White (4); Meadow Brown (80); Ringlet (28); Small / Essex Skipper (45); Brimstone (M)(10)(F)(2); Holly Blue (M)(1); Marbled White (88); Holly Blue (M)(1); Essex Skipper (2); Small Heath (8); Small Skipper (1); Small Copper (2); Dark Green Fritillary (48); Common Blue (M)(3); Painted Lady (2); Chalk Hill Blue (M)(22); Brown Argus (1); Comma (2); Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Large White female Photo © Francis Plowman | Dark Green Fritillary Photo © Francis Plowman | Chalk Hill Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman |
West Walk, Wickham. The day started well with a White Admiral seen soon after arrival, though another didn't appear for nearly an hour; honeysuckle was in remarkably good condition; no wilting. In the few glades, Silver-washed Fritillary (4), all male, were noted, along with a few dozen Meadow Browns and Ringlets. Speckled Woods were scarce and in poor condition. Vanessids comprised Red Admiral (1), Peacock (3), Comma (4); something larger and darker was seen atop a Sweet Chestnut amid masses of flower. A few Large Whites and Small Whites completed the tally. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Old Winchester Hill. Today the temperature reached 28 degrees during a visit to Old Winchester Hill in company with my father Roy Symonds. Walking from 11am to 3.15pm, from along the ridge to the hill fort, circling it then walking the stepped path, then descending the slope to the woods. Here the path to the bottom of the car park slope was followed and finally its ascent.
Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and Small Skippers appeared to be flying everywhere. Several fresh Comma, Peacocks, Red Admirals and Painted Ladys were seen on bramble bloom in the scrubby areas, while a few newly emerged Gatekeepers was also recorded. Several Brimstones added more colour, while mostly around the hill fort on the Northern side, Dark Green Fritillarys were active some only stopping very briefly to feed. On the turf between the woods and bottom of the car park slope, a single male Common Blue was recorded.
Totals: Brimstone 13M 11F, Large White 24, Green-veined White 2, Small White 66, Common Blue 1M, Small Copper 2, Gatekeeper 4, Marbled White 98, Meadow Brown 182, Ringlet 44, Small Heath 11, Comma 5, Dark Green Fritillary 22, Painted Lady 3, Peacock 8, Red Admiral 6, Small Skipper 84. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Moth Trap in my garden at Leigh Park. Had 50 species of moth in my trap this morning. Some of the highlights included a Scarce Silver-lines. 6 Elephant Hawk-moth, 10 L-album Wainscot, Lunar-spotted Pinion, 4 Kent Black Arches, 2 male Festoon, Clancy's Rustic, 2 Black Arches, Canary-shouldered Thorn, 2 July Highflyer, and a European Corn-borer etc. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Aug 2025, Jul 2025, Jun 2025, May 2025, Apr 2025, Mar 2025, Feb 2025, Jan 2025, Dec 2024, Nov 2024, Oct 2024, Sep 2024, Aug 2024, Jul 2024, Jun 2024, May 2024, Apr 2024, Mar 2024, Feb 2024, Jan 2024, Dec 2023, Nov 2023, Oct 2023, Sep 2023, Aug 2023, Jul 2023, Jun 2023, May 2023, Apr 2023, Mar 2023, Feb 2023, Jan 2023, Dec 2022, Nov 2022, Oct 2022, Sep 2022, Aug 2022, Jul 2022, Jun 2022, May 2022, Apr 2022, Mar 2022, Feb 2022, Jan 2022, Dec 2021, Nov 2021, Oct 2021, Sep 2021, Aug 2021, Jul 2021, Jun 2021, May 2021, Apr 2021, Mar 2021, Feb 2021, Jan 2021, Dec 2020, Nov 2020, Oct 2020, Sep 2020, Aug 2020, Jul 2020, Jun 2020, May 2020, Apr 2020, Mar 2020, Feb 2020, Jan 2020, Dec 2019, Nov 2019, Oct 2019, Sep 2019, Aug 2019, Jul 2019, Jun 2019, May 2019, Apr 2019, Mar 2019, Feb 2019, Jan 2019, Dec 2018, Nov 2018, Oct 2018, Sep 2018, Aug 2018, Jul 2018, Jun 2018, May 2018, Apr 2018, Mar 2018, Feb 2018, Jan 2018, Dec 2017, Nov 2017, Oct 2017, Sep 2017, Aug 2017, Jul 2017, Jun 2017, May 2017, Apr 2017, Mar 2017, Feb 2017, Jan 2017, Dec 2016, Nov 2016, Oct 2016, Sep 2016, Aug 2016, Jul 2016, Jun 2016, May 2016, Apr 2016, Mar 2016, Feb 2016, Jan 2016, Dec 2015, Nov 2015, Oct 2015, Sep 2015, Aug 2015, Jul 2015, Jun 2015, May 2015, Apr 2015, Mar 2015, Feb 2015, Jan 2015, Dec 2014, Nov 2014, Oct 2014, Sep 2014, Aug 2014, Jul 2014, Jun 2014, May 2014, Apr 2014
Apr to May 2014, Mar 2014, Feb 2014, Jan 2014, Jul to Dec 2013, Jan to Jun 2013, Jul to Dec 2012, Jan to Jun 2012, Jul to Dec 2011, Jan to Jun 2011, Jul to Dec 2010, Jan to Jun 2010